Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Mentha piperita Essential Oils on the Khapra Beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in Terms of Feeding Inhibition, Oviposition, and Seed Damage.

Trogoderma granarium Everts, the Khapra beetle, is a major pest of stored products, especially grains. In this study, fumigant toxicity and sublethal effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Myrtaceae) and Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae) essential oils (EOs) were investigated against different growth stages of T. granarium. To assess the sublethal effects, insects were exposed to an LC20 or LC50 concentration of each essential oil, and the ability of these oils to deter feeding, oviposition, and damage to wheat seeds and overall mass were surveyed. At LC50 concentrations, M. piperita EO showed higher fumigant toxicity than E. camaldulensis EO against eggs, 2nd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae, and adults of T. granarium. Furthermore, the adults were more sensitive to the tested EOs than immatures. In free-choice tests, both larvae and adults showed a preference for control-treated wheat seeds than for seeds treated with an LC20 or LC50 concentration of EOs from E. camaldulensis or M. piperita. In a no-choice test, adult females exposed to EOs showed lower fecundity and fertility in comparison to control females not exposed to EOs. Treatment of wheat seeds with E. camaldulensis or M. piperita EOs resulted in a dose-specific reduction in the number of damaged seeds and seed weight loss when compared to control. According to our results, both tested EOs, especially EOs extracted from M. piperita, showed good potential for use in integrated pest management strategies against T. granarium.

Life Table Parameters and Oviposition Preference of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on Six Brassicaceous Crop Plants.

The oviposition preferences and larval development of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were evaluated in the laboratory on canola, Brassica napus L. and five Brassica oleracea L. cultivars: broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, red cabbage, and white cabbage. Adults from larvae fed on cauliflower and canola lived longer than those fed other cultivars, whereas the oviposition period was longest for cauliflower (5.54 d) and shortest for females reared on kohlrabi (2.68 d). The oviposition period for canola and broccoli was relatively long compared with white cabbage, red cabbage, and kohlrabi. Significantly more eggs were oviposited on cauliflower (163.71 eggs per female) than on canola (139.23 eggs per female) and the other B. oleracea cultivars, although broccoli also was preferred over white cabbage, red cabbage, and kohlrabi. The differences in total development times of immature stages on Brassica plants tested were significant, being shortest on cauliflower (17.60 d) and longest on kohlrabi (21.12 d). The moths reared on cauliflower and Kohlrabi, respectively, had the highest (65.46 offspring per individual) and lowest (12.71 offspring per individual) R0 values. Also, moths reared on cauliflower had significantly higher r value (0.200 d-1). The lowest r value was obtained when individuals fed on Kohlrabi (0.105 d-1). In free-choice situation, oviposition on canola and cauliflower was similar, but numbers of eggs deposited on these plants exceeded other plants. The amounts of glucosinolate were significantly greater in canola and cauliflower, intermediate in white cabbage, lower in broccoli and kohlrabi, and the lowest in red cabbage.

Induction of Resistance Against Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep.: Plutellidae) by Jasmonic Acid and Mealy Cabbage Aphid Feeding in Brassica napus L.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), has become the most destructive insect pest of cruciferous plants, such as B. napus throughout the world including Iran. In this study, the induction of resistance was activated in oilseed rape plants (Brassica napus L.) using foliar application of jasmonic acid (JA) and mealy cabbage aphid either individually or in combination against diamondback moth. Induced resistance by inducers significantly reduced the population growth parameters, as well as the survival rate of immature P. xylostella. Also, the nutritional indices of P. xylostella were studied to evaluate the potential impact of induced resistance on the insect feeding behavior. The values of the efficiency of conversion of ingested food, the efficiency of conversion of digested food, relative consumption rate, and relative growth rate of P. xylostella on JA-treated plants were significantly reduced compared to control. These are because glucosinolates and proteinase inhibitors are induced following treatment of plants. Also, we found a significantly higher glucose oxidase activity in the salivary gland extracts of larvae fed on JA treatment. These results express that JA and/or Aphid application induces systemic defenses in oilseed rape that have a negative effect on P. xylostella fitness. These findings develop our knowledge the effects of induced defenses on P. xylostella.

Sublethal Effects of Some Insecticides on Functional Response of Habrobracon hebetor (Hymneoptera: Braconidae) When Reared on Two Lepidopteran Hosts.

The effects of four commonly used pesticides, diazinon (EC 60%), phosalone (EC 35%), fipronil (Granular formulation 0.2%), and pyriproxifen (EC 10%), on functional response of Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were investigated using two lepidopteran hosts, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Heliothis viriplaca (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Laboratory bioassays determined diazinon and fipronil as highly toxic insecticides for all developmental stages of the parasitoid, while the acute toxicity of phosalone and pyriproxyfen was moderate to very low depending on the life-stage studied. Larval, pupal, and adult stages of the parasitoid were exposed to sublethal concentrations (LC30) of insecticides, and the newly mated females were used to study functional response of the parasitoid to different host densities. With a single exception, a type II functional response was found for control and all insecticide treatments on all life stages and both host species. All insecticides tended to decrease the asymptote of the functional response curve and the maximum parasitism rate, probably by negatively affecting the searching efficiency (a') of the parasitoid. These results indicate that the control efficiency of parasitoids may be negatively affected by sublethal doses of pesticides, even though the type of functional response remains unchanged. As a potential solution, appropriate timing of pesticide application is required to avoid the antagonistic interactions with natural enemies under integrated management programs.

In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of α-Amylase Inhibitor From Avena sativa Seeds on Life History and Physiological Characteristics of Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

The inhibitory effects of Avena sativa L. seed extract were studied on life history and some physiological aspects of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier; Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). The inhibition of α-amylase activity in vitro by A. sativa proteinaceous extract suggested its potential antimetabolic effect on S. cerealella larvae. Although, chronic ingestion of A. sativa inhibitor (I10: 0.108 mg protein/artificial seed) did not show significant reduction of the growth and development of S. cerealella. However, a delay in the developmental time of immature stages was detected when S. cerealella larvae were continuously fed on I30 and I50 concentrations (0.429 and 1.11 mg protein/artificial seed, respectively) of the inhibitor. The highest realized fecundity was recorded for females which came from larvae fed on I10 concentration (102.46 ± 2.50 eggs/female), and the lowest fecundity was observed for females which came from larvae fed on I50 concentration (31.64 ± 3.17 eggs/female). The lightest weight of pupae of S. cerealella was observed on I50 concentration (2.76 ± 0.07 mg). The lowest glycogen and lipid contents of the pupae were detected on I50 concentration (50.00 ± 3.53 and 289.57 ± 29.00 µg/pupa, respectively). The lower survival rate of pupae at low temperature indicated that S. cerealella fed on I50 concentration of the inhibitor was less cold tolerant than control insects. The inhibitory studies indicated that A. sativa proteinaceous extract is a good candidate as an inhibitor of the α-amylase of this pest. This inhibitor can be expressed in genetically engineered plants to confer resistance to S. cerealella.

Individual and Combined Effects of Bacillus Thuringiensis and Azadirachtin on Plodia Interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

The Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a major stored product pest that is found throughout the world. In this study, the effect of oral exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) subsp. kurstaki (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) and azadirachtin was evaluated in third instar P. interpunctella under laboratory conditions. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of Bt and azadirachtin on third instars was 490 and 241 µg a.i./ml, respectively. The median lethal time (LT50) of these insecticides was the same (4.5 d following exposure to 750 or 400 µg a.i./ml of Bt or azadirachtin, respectively). When the larvae fed on diet containing LC30 concentrations of both Bt and azadirachtin an additive interaction in terms of mortality was found. A synergistic interaction was found when the larvae fed on diet containing LC50 concentrations of both insecticides. Larvae that fed on insecticide-containing diet (either Bt or azadirachtin at an LC30 concentration, or both insecticides at LC30 or LC50 concentrations) showed lower glycogen and lipid levels, and generally lower protein content in comparison to control larvae. Larvae that fed on diet containing both Bt and azadirachtin showed reduced weight gain and nutritional indices in comparison to control larvae or larvae fed on the diet containing only one of the insecticides. Finally, exposure to both insecticides, either individually or in combination, reduced the level of digestive enzymes found in the midgut. Our findings indicate that both Bt and azadirachtin, either individually or in combination have significant potential for use in controlling of P. interpunctella.

Effects of Potato Cultivars on Some Physiological Processes of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an important pest of potato throughout the world. Here, the effects of six potato cultivars including 'Arinda,' 'Sprit,' 'Markiez,' 'Lotta,' 'Santae,' and 'Agria' were studied on nutritional indices, digestive enzymes, and some components involved in intermediary metabolism of L. decemlineata. Nutritional indices of the larvae and the adults were significantly different followed by feeding on various potato cultivars. The individuals fed on Agria showed the highest activity of digestive proteases although cathepsin B demonstrated same Activity on Santae and Lotta. The highest activity of α-amylase was found in the larvae fed on Arinda, but the adults demonstrated the highest amylolytic activities on Santae and Agria. Both larvae and adults of L. decemlineata fed on Santae revealed the highest α- and ß-glucosidase activities. No significant differences were found in lipase activity of larvae, but the highest lipase activity was found in the adults fed on Santae. The highest activities of transaminases were found in the larvae and adults fed on the Agria except for γ-glutamyl transferase. In case of aldolase, the highest activities were observed in the larvae and adults fed on Santae and Sprit. The highest activities of lactate dehydrogenase were obtained in the larvae and adults fed on Santae. The highest amount of low-density lipophorin was measured in both individuals fed on Santae. There were no significant differences in high-density lipophorin amount of adults, but the highest value was found in the larvae fed on Agria. The lowest amounts of protein and triglyceride were observed in both individuals fed on Santae and Agria, respectively. These results revealed Santae is the most suitable cultivar for L. decemlineata based on digestion and intermediary metabolism findings, but Lotta is an unsuitable cultivar and could be considered for integrated pest management.

Impact of host plant resistance on the tritrophic interactions between wheat genotypes, Schizaphis graminum (Homoptera: Aphididae), and Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) using molecular methods.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of wheat resistance on digestibility of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) in the Coccinella septempunctata L. gut. Four wheat genotypes including an ancient wheat species (Einkorn) and three Iranian wheat genotypes (Azadi, Ommid, and Moghan2) were used. Einkorn was found to be a highly resistant species, while Azadi, Ommid, and Moghan2 were characterized as resistant, semiresistant, and susceptible genotypes, respectively, based on some biological parameters of S. graminum on these plants. Adult C. septempunctata starved for 24 h were fed one S. graminum reared on the selected wheat genotypes. A semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction technique using specific primers for the gene cytochrome oxidase II (COII) of S. graminum showed a significant effect of plant resistance on S. graminum DNA disappearance time. The DNA half-lives of S. graminum fed on Einkorn, Azadi, Ommid, and Moghan2 in C. septempunctata gut was 3.3, 3.6, 4.8, and 6.7 h, respectively. The findings suggest that digestibility of S. graminum fed on resistant plant genotypes is higher than those fed on susceptible plants because of the lighter weights and smaller sizes of the first. This phenomenon could result in faster ingestion of S. graminum by C. septempunctata on these resistant plants. It is also possible that some metabolites found differentially in Einkorn and Azadi genotypes may have affected S. graminum quality as a food for C. septempunctata.

Economic injury level of the psyllid, Agonoscena pistaciae, on Pistachio, Pistacia vera cv. Ohadi.

The pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a major pest of pistachio trees, Pistacia vera L. (Sapindalis: Anacardiaceae) throughout pistachio-producing regions in Iran. Different density levels of A. pistaciae nymphs were maintained on pistachio trees by different insecticide dosages to evaluate the relationship between nymph density and yield loss (weight of 1000 nuts). Psylla nymph densities were monitored weekly by counting nymphs on pistachio terminal leaflets. There was a significant reduction in weight of 1000 nuts as seasonal averages of nymphs increased. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between nymph density and weight of 1000 nuts. The economic injury levels varied as a function of market values, management costs, insecticide efficiency and yield loss rate and ranged from 7.7 to 30.7 nymphal days per terminal leaflet, based on weight of 1000 nuts.

Assessment of geographic and host-associated population variations of the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae, on pomegranate, fig, pistachio and walnut, using AFLP markers.

The carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller 1839) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the most important pest of pomegranate, Punica granatum L. (Myrtales: Ponicaceae), in Iran. In this study, 6 amplified fragment length polymorphism primer combinations were used to survey the genetic structure of the geographic and putative host-associated populations of this pest in Iran. An AMOVA was performed on test populations. Pairwise differences, Mantel test, multidimensional analysis, cluster analysis and migration rate were calculated for 5 geographic populations of E. ceratoniae sharing the same host, pomegranate. In another part of the study, 3 comparisons were performed on pairwise populations that were collected on different hosts (pomegranate, fig, pistachio and walnut) in same geographic regions. The results showed high within population variation (85.51% of total variation), however geographic populations differed significantly. The Mantel test did not show correlations between genetic and geographic distances. The probable factors that affect genetic distances are discussed. Multidimensional scaling analysis, migration rate and cluster analysis on geographic populations showed that the Arsanjan population was the most different from the others while the Saveh population was more similar to the Sabzevar population. The comparisons didn't show any host fidelity in test populations. It seems that the ability of E. ceratoniae to broaden its host range with no fidelity to hosts can decrease the efficiency of common control methods that are used on pomegranate. The results of this study suggest that in spite of the effects of geographic barriers, high within-population genetic variation, migration rate and gene flow can provide the opportunity for emerging new phenotypes or behaviors in pest populations, such as broadening host range, changing egg lying places, or changing over-wintering sites to adapt to difficult conditions such as those caused by intensive control methods.